Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core
About the BDSSC
The Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core (BDSSC) helps researchers use complex data to advance biomedical and health-related research. Many biomedical research questions require combining information from multiple sources, such as health records, survey data, demographic data, environmental measures, biomarkers, genetics, health behaviors, education, employment, family structure, and income. These data are often difficult to prepare and analyze. The BDSSC exists to help affiliated researchers turn complex raw data into well-documented analysis datasets.
The BDSSC was created as part of the NIH-funded COBRE award, Leveraging Big Data to Improve Women’s Health (5P20GM152280). The core is housed within the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas and builds on IPSR’s long-standing expertise in data discovery, data management, statistical analysis, and research support.
Services
The BDSSC provides support across the research process, including:
- identifying appropriate datasets for research questions;
- obtaining and organizing data from public, restricted, administrative, survey, biomedical, and health-related sources;
- cleaning, formatting, and linking datasets;
- preparing documentation and code;
- supporting secure data storage and analysis for sensitive data;
- conducting or supporting statistical analyses, when needed; and
- helping researchers prepare publications and competitive grant proposals.
By providing centralized data services, BDSSC allows researchers to spend less time managing data and more time developing research ideas, interpreting findings, and preparing proposals. The core is designed to support COBRE Research Project Leaders, COBRE-affiliated faculty and students, and other health researchers whose work would benefit from data services.
Researchers interested in working with the Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core should begin by completing the BDSSC Service Request Form. The form helps us understand your project, your data needs, your timeline, and the type of support you are seeking.
After your request is submitted, BDSSC staff will review the information and follow up to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, we will discuss your research goals, available or needed data sources, project timeline, data security considerations, and the services BDSSC may be able to provide.
Resources
Data Archive
The Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core provides support for COBRE investigators who need to share research data in accordance with NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan expectations. For some projects, standard repository options may not be a good fit because of file size limits or other logistical challenges. In response to this need, BDSSC helped establish a COBRE data archive using a SharePoint-based site that can house public-facing project data and supporting documentation.
The COBRE data archive is designed to support public sharing of research data that are appropriate for open access. Investigators interested in using the archive should contact BDSSC to discuss data-sharing needs, file organization, and documentation requirements.
Rates
Cost will be discussed once BDSSC staff have reviewed the service request.
People
The BDSSC is supported by the staff of the Institute for Policy and Social Research:
- Donna Ginther, Director, BDSSC
- Dasha Milakhina, Associate Researcher
- Whitney Onasch, Associate Researcher
- Pat Oslund, Associate Researcher
- Xan Wedel, Senior Research Data Engineer
- Carlos Zambrana, Associate Researcher
Contact
Questions about BDSSC services may be directed to Dr. Donna Ginther, BDSSC Director. Researchers are encouraged to complete the service request form before contacting the core so BDSSC staff can better understand the project and identify the appropriate next steps.